The Catholic Church worldwide will be celebrating a special Jubilee Year in 2025. This has been a tradition dating back to the year 1300 when Pope Boniface VIII announced the first Jubilee, which is also referred to as a “Holy Year”. The frequency has changed over time, with a Jubilee year originally celebrated every 100 years, later every 50 years and, more recently, every 25 years or at the request of the Holy Father.

The Jubilee Year includes many celebrations within the city of Rome and also local initiatives in dioceses around the world. The theme of the 2025 Jubilee will be “Pilgrims of Hope”. In the words of Pope Francis: "We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision."

The Holy Father will open the Jubilee Year on December 24, 2024, with the official opening of the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica and continuing until January 6, 2026, the Solemnity of the Epiphany, with the closing of the Holy Door.

In the Archdiocese of Toronto, we will open the Jubilee Year with a Solemn Opening Mass taking place on Sunday, December 29, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica. All are invited to join in this special celebration. Please note that the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available prior to the Eucharist from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

May this Holy Year provide a grace-filled opportunity to nurture the seeds of faith for you and your loved ones, immersing ourselves as Pilgrims of Hope into a year-long journey of prayer, witness and service drawing on the example of Jesus, our Lord.